Germany proposes long-term care reform with cuts and higher premiums for childless

The German government intends to overhaul its long‑term care insurance to address a projected shortfall of €7.6 billion next year and €15.4 billion the year after. The draft law would modestly raise contribution rates for childless persons and high‑income earners while sharply reducing subsidies for home‑based care, shifting more financial responsibility onto families, especially women.

Spending cuts are also planned through stricter eligibility assessments, slower indexation of care contributions and other measures expected to save up to €4 billion annually by 2030. Critics, including insurers and health‑policy experts, warn that the reforms will place a heavy burden on care providers and families, calling the proposed savings “painful cuts”.